Ergonomic tray

ABSTRACT

Ergonomic tray with a smooth central surface used to support and carry various items and food. The tray lip is interrupted at least on one side by an incut that constitutes the tray handle. This handle has an ergonomic rounded concave shape to allow a perfect coupling of a hand in the handle. The handle is located next to one of the rounded vertices of the tray, where the user&#39;s wrist will rest when the tray is held with the hand. Both ends of the handle are rounded ends, continuous on one end with the tray lip and on the other end with one of the vertices of the tray.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an ergonomic tray designed both to carry diverse items and to eat on it.

The tray is characterised by a handle area that makes it easier for the user to hold the tray when carrying the food and elements used to eat, such as glasses, dishes and cutlery.

The special configuration of said handle makes it easier for the user to eat from the tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many trays are known with a central smooth surface and a lip surrounding it. In certain cases the configuration of said lip makes it difficult to grip the tray, or makes it uncomfortable to eat from the tray.

Examples of trays with this type of peripheral lip surrounding the central surface are:

-   -   The tray described in document with application number         WO0215757, which describes a tray with a smooth central surface         and an edge surrounding it. This tray consists of two halves, an         upper and a lower half, on of which at least is transparent         allowing to place advertising or other messages;     -   The tray described in document with European application number         EP97914068, consisting of a bottom slip-proof layer that allows         placing it on very smooth surfaces without it slipping. This         tray also has a peripheral lip.

The tray of the present invention solves the drawbacks presented by trays having a peripheral lip related to gripping them, having at least one characteristic gripping area that also facilitates access to the food placed on the centre of the tray when eating from it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present description consists of an ergonomic tray with a smooth central surface, used to support and carry various objects and foods.

The smooth central surface is continuous to a lip that provides stability to the objects placed on the centre of the tray.

The lip is interrupted at least on one side by an incut that constitutes the tray handle.

Said handle has an ergonomic rounded concave profile that allows a perfect coupling of a hand in said handle.

The handle is placed next to one of the rounded vertices of the tray, where the user's wrist is coupled when holding the tray with the hand.

Due to its special constitution, the handle of the invention provides the user eating on the tray with an easy access to the centre of the tray, where the food is placed. The user's forearm when about to eat will rest on the handle(s), so that the tray provides an improved access to its central area.

The handle of the invention is constituted in the form of a concave incut made in the tray lip. Both ends of the handle have rounded ends continuous on one end with the tray lip and on the other with one of the tray's vertices.

The tray shows the lip in a different side according to whether it is intended for right-handed or left-handed users.

The tray can also have two symmetrically placed handles.

The tray is made of any material, whether metallic, plastic or of a natural origin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present descriptive memory is completed with a set of drawings meant to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention in a non-limiting manner.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tray for right-handed users.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the tray for right-handed users at the time of transportation.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the tray for right-handed users when the user is eating.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the tray for left-handed users.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the tray with two handles.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention consists of an ergonomic tray designed to facilitate carrying it and eating from it.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the tray of the invention for right-handed users.

This tray has its handle on the right side. The handle has a rounded shape for a perfect coupling with the hand and wrist on the tray in order to facilitate carrying it.

FIG. 2 shows a user holding the tray in order to carry it.

Thus, the main grip area (1), where the user will hold the tray, is concave and extends continuously until ending at a convex area (2) that ends where the tray lip begins.

On the opposite end, the main grip area (1) extends as a gentle concave line (3) that ends in a rounded vertex (4) of the tray.

The hand holding the tray is perfectly coupled to the gentle concave line (3) while the wrist will rest on the rounded vertex (4) of the tray.

FIG. 3 shows a user ready to eat from the tray. The concave incut handle allows the user to access the centre of the tray surface easily, resting the forearm on the gentle concave line (3) of the handle.

Lastly, FIG. 5 shows a new example of an embodiment in which the tray has two handles opposite each other. Trays with two handles make it easier to carry heavy items.

The essence of this invention is not affected by variations in the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the component elements, described in a non-limiting manner, which should allow its reproduction by an expert. 

1. Ergonomic tray from among those having a central support area surrounded by a peripheral lip, characterised in that it has at least one handle in the form of a concave incut which comprises the main grip area (1), which extends as a gentle concave line (3) ending at the rounded vertex (4) of the tray and on the opposite end extends as a convex area (2) that ends at the beginning of the tray lip.
 2. Ergonomic tray according to claim 1, characterised in that it has at least one handle on the right side of the tray.
 3. Ergonomic tray according to claim 1, characterised in that it has at least one handle on the left side of the tray.
 4. Ergonomic tray according to claim 1, characterised in that it is has two symmetrically disposed handles. 